higher chemistry assignment help

higher chemistry assignment help

The Impact of Modern Chemistry on Society

1. Introduction to Modern Chemistry

The atomic theory of matter distinguishes modern from ancient chemistry. The ancients saw chemical reactions in terms of changes in form without an accompanying change in properties (a change in state of matter). Chemical and physical properties were observed to be dependent upon the purity of a sample. Consequently, the components of mixtures were treated and viewed differently from pure substances. The components of mixtures were thought to combine in simple ratios and considered dissimilar and inseparable from one another. The term “reaction” was used to describe the intercourse of a male and female to produce a child, which could not be undone. The theory of atoms, initiated by Dalton in 1809, enhanced the philosophical and technological development of organic (carbon-based) chemistry, nuclear chemistry, electrochemistry, and molecular structure through the 21st century alone! The ancients had glimpses of many physical and chemical laws (principles). These include Dalton, Boyle’s, Charles’, and Charles’ laws (relationships). These are the tools developed from observations and experiments to describe chemical phenomena and predict the behavior of chemical systems. These laws are the fundamental principles used to invent new and revolutionary chemical substances and systems.

Modern chemistry has made major contributions to global society. The contributions range from environmental issues, solving old and new diseases, to nuclear and chemical waste. However, the development of the major theories progressed in a historical manner. Thus, an explanation of many of these developments is incomplete and, at times, ends unexpectedly. This is because of the vast quantity of knowledge that followed from these theories. Scientists continue to be involved in discovering and explaining vast amounts of incomplete information about chemical systems in the 21st century!

2. Applications of Chemistry in Everyday Life

Pharmaceutical products are designed by combining knowledge of organic reactions and enzyme-substrate interactions. This can include assistance, facilitation or prevention of specific interactions as well as design and behavioral effect of drug carriers. Household products such as bleach, soaps, shampoos, rinses, creams, lotions, perfumes, antibacterial sprays, fragrances, preservatives, glues and adhesives, detergents, cleansers, air fresheners, moisturizers, lipstick, petroleum jelly, sunscreens, hair color, nail polish, and lotion are composed of a variety of chemicals designed to perform specific applications. Essential fertilization during food production needs an understanding of how molecules interact in order to maximize growth in plant life and optimize plant health. Energy used in vehicles, appliances, telecommunication and home heating is derived from the interaction of molecules which form the larger storage system of fossil fuels or batteries. The move from using fossil fuels to renewable energies such as wind, sun, and water requires research in how those energies can be stored in usable quantities within the limitations of small molecules in batteries, for example.

Chemistry is everywhere. The role of chemistry in ensuring the wellness of both human beings and the environment is immense. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the car that we drive, and indeed everything we use in our everyday lives is a product of chemical research and discovery. Because of the work of chemists, many products that evoke images of mountains and nature in its purest form now exist in detergent bottles. We owe the present day medical relief, due to antibiotics and pain relievers, in part to discoveries of these minuscule molecules. The application of chemical principles has made it possible to manufacture a variety of other materials for use in clothing, plastics, glass, electronics, chemicals, and thousands of other consumer goods.

3. Chemistry in Environmental Sustainability

Green chemistry is a political and moral ideal that can be, in the words of the chemist Paul Anastas, “dehumanizing, not terrorizing” in contrast to any field that challenges the safety of the earth. In 1998, the United Nations created a set of guidelines for promoting worldwide sustainable development by the end of the year using less energy and making less waste more sustainable. In general, green chemistry ideas and guidelines transcend the social, moral, political, and economic dimensions of global environmental issues and pollution problems by improving the design of chemicals as well as the manufacture and synthesis of products that alternative technologies can provide. Considering its implications, green chemistry is of interest to scientists because economic and operational drivers encourage the adoption of these sustainable chemical systems in preference to the business-as-usual approach to protecting the environment. In one such case, the goal is to reduce acetylene with hydrogen gas without using palladium or other metals. In addition to environmental sustainability, use of transition metals and alloys such as palladium (and, to a lesser extent, zinc and copper) can reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions. Publication energy consumption and waste are also reduced.

One ongoing driving force behind stroke and heart disease is increasing poor air quality by vehicle pollution. When substances (smog) produced by chemical reactions between pollutants in the air collect and block sunlight and oxygen transfer to lake or river below the weeds, they die because light is essential for photosynthesis and oxygen is required for respiration. The objects do not exist for aquatic animals and plants. Chemical processes can have profound but easily overlooked effects on ecosystems. This can have several reasons. Therefore, many pollutants threaten the health of one in six people without access to clean water. Long-term health problems such as liver damage, cancer, and even premature death are caused by laundry bleach, drain cleaners, and toilet bowl disinfectant. They release toxic fumes, vapors, and mists that damage the lungs and other organs. Scalp is burned by accidental contact with a lye-based chemical called sodium hydroxide. Widening the crack without any guarantee that it will work is another solution to avoid the repurchase of substances that suffocate grasses or slow the growth of a garden or lawn. Added cost, but the same or equally effective alternatives are nearly 800 fewer. The soil is contaminated by sprays, fertilizers, and pesticides that contain lead or other metals, which travel with the rain through the soil to the groundwater. They invade the food chain and damage the nerves in the body, while other harmful effects occur.

4. Innovations and Future Trends in Chemistry

Most notably, advancements in recent years have led to the discovery of vaccines which have the ability to ward off dangerous viral and bacterial infections. Staying with the biological theme, the environment must also be cleansed of toxic pollutants to ensure that the world’s natural resources remain intact. This has recently motivated researchers to create new filtration materials to remove harmful species from the water supply. Eventually, present day fuel sources will be depleted and most likely replaced by renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, hydrothermal, and geothermal power. These sources, however, all lack a system for storing the energy they produce. In order to fill this gap and conserve the electrical energy for future use, rechargeable batteries have been designed. However, these batteries are significantly limited by the shortages of “rare earth” metals used in the construction of the batteries. The association of advanced materials and molecular precursors is the foundation of modern chemistry, which continuously pushes the field forwards. In contrast, one of the earliest chemical innovations came from the use of automation and artificial intelligence of the chemical processes.

In order to fully appreciate the profound impact modern chemistry has had upon society, it is important to consider the trajectory of where the field may be heading next. The development of chemical innovations has continued to advance in order to address current day technological demands. In particular, materials science has garnered much attention with chemists creating a range of new materials with specialized properties and functionalities. For instance, nanotechnology engineering at the atomic and molecular levels has unearthed unique properties of materials at the smallest scales. As a result, many engineered nanomaterials are considered to be quite interesting for appearance in both biological and environmental applications. Indeed, the pharmaceutical industry is always on the hunt to discover new molecules to repair damaged areas in the human body. This has led to medical advancements such as the creation of more powerful, targeted drugs.

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